A West Palm Beach semi-truck driver was one of the six people killed in a fiery, multi-vehicle crash north of Boynton Beach.

Authorities said, the 59-year old truck driver appears to have started a series of deadly crashes when he veered into the path of another vehicle on Interstate 95. He was killed along with five children in a church van traveling to Walt Disney World, Florida Highway Patrol authorities said. Eight other people injured in the collisions were taken to hospitals with injuries ranging from serious to critical, according to a Florida Highway Patrol crash report.

In total, five vehicles were involved, including a pickup that managed to avoid the other vehicles, but hit at least one of the people ejected when the church van overturned, Florida Highway Patrol authorities said.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol report, the accidents began as the 59-year old driver was driving a semi-truck was hauling a box van near the exits at Northwest 39th Avenue. Authorities say he was driving north in the far right lane when he veered left into the path of a northbound Honda, causing both vehicles to crash through a guardrail and move into the southbound lanes.

His truck struck the driver’s side of the southbound church van, causing that vehicle to overturn, then crashed into another semi-truck, the report said. His truck, the Honda and the other semi-truck all caught fire.

The Honda’s driver, identified as Robyn Rattray, 41, of Boca Raton, was taken to Delray Medical Center with serious injuries. The five children killed were from a Pentecostal church in Marksville, Louisiana. They were identified as Joel Cloud and Jeremiah Warren, both 14; Cara Descant, 13; Briana Descant, 10; and Cierra Bordelan, 9. Truck driver, Doulas Bolkema, 49, of Albuquerque was also killed.

Four children and three adults from the van were taken to hospitals with injuries ranging from serious to critical. According to multiple published reports, the van passengers were on their way to Walt Disney World.

The Florida Highway Patrol said that it is still investigating the crash.

Comments:

Accident attorney Jason Weisser of Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller and Overbeck responded to this unfortunate crash. “This is a serious accident resulting in fatalities. We hope the investigators can quickly determine what caused the accident. Please be careful and obey the speed limits whenever you are driving a motorcycle, car, SUV or truck. We hope that all parties involved consult with an experienced trial lawyer. If you have been injured in an accident, call my office for a free consultation and find out what your rights are.”

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